1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Asus Zenfone 8 | Xiaomi Poco F6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 148 x 68.5 x 8.9 mm | 160.5 x 74.5 x 8 mm | Poco F6 is taller and wider, Zenfone 8 is slightly thicker. Poco F6 has a larger overall size and might be less comfortable in one hand for some users. |
| Weight | 169g | 179g | Zenfone 8 is 10g lighter; feels marginally more portable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.9" | 6.67" | Poco F6 has a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. Zenfone 8 is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1220 x 2712 | Poco F6 has a sharper display, resulting in crisper images and text, although the difference at this pixel density is not drastic. |
| PPI | 446 | 446 | Both displays are equally sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1100 nits | 2400 nits | Poco F6 is much brighter, making it more readable in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Poco F6 has a newer, more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 891,700 | 1,530,662 | Poco F6 has significantly higher performance, noticeable in demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 735 | Poco F6 has a newer, more capable GPU, which provides better graphics rendering for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 5000mAh | Poco F6 has a larger battery, likely providing significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 30W fast charging | 90W fast charging | Poco F6 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686, 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/2", Sony IMX882, 0.7µm | Zenfone 8 has a higher resolution sensor but smaller pixel size. Poco F6 has a wider aperture and bigger pixel size, performs better in low light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", Sony IMX663, 1.22µm | 20MP, f/2.0, Omnivision OV20B, | Poco F6 has a higher resolution and wider aperture, leading to better selfies especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX355, 1.14µm | Poco F6 has an additional wide-angle lens for capturing landscapes and group shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363, 1.40µm | No Wide Angle + Macro Lens | Zenfone 8 has a dedicated wide-angle + macro camera, for capturing more detail in wide shots and macro images. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Zenfone 8 supports higher video resolution for professional use, though the Poco F6 has very good quality video recording as well. |
| DxoMark | Overall: 116; Photo: 120; Video: 118 | Not Available | Asus Zenfone 8 has a good rating in DxoMark. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Android 14 (upgradable to 17) | Poco F6 has a more modern OS with better features and security and a more extended update cycle. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both offer fast Wi-Fi speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.4 | Poco F6 has a more modern Bluetooth version, potentially offering better range and efficiency. |
| GPS | More Satellite Systems | Fewer Satellite Systems | Zenfone 8 has more satellite systems, providing potentially more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB/256GB | 256GB/512GB | Poco F6 offers a higher maximum storage option for users with many files, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 6/8/12/16 GB | 8/12 GB | Zenfone 8 can be configured with a higher maximum of 16 GB of RAM for heavy multitaskers. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Features | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 4 microphones | Poco F6 has better audio quality with Dolby Atmos and 4 microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | Both have standard fingerprint sensors for unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Gorilla Glass Victus | Gorilla Glass Victus | Both offer excellent screen scratch resistance |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Gravity, Hall | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both have a comprehensive suite of sensors, with the Poco F6 having an ultrasonic sensor for proximity. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Compact Size: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed.
- Higher Max RAM option: Available with up to 16GB of RAM for extreme multitasking.
- More Satellite Navigation Systems: More accurate location tracking thanks to the multiple satellite systems.
- 8K Video Recording: Supports 8K video recording for professional-grade use, although this has limited practical use for most users.
- Wide Angle + Macro Lens: Dedicated lens for wide-angle and macro photography, offering more versatile camera options.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Advantages:
- Larger, Brighter Display: A bigger, brighter screen provides a more immersive experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Faster Processor: Newer, more powerful chipset resulting in noticeably better performance.
- Longer Battery Life & Faster Charging: Larger battery paired with faster charging minimizes downtime and provides extended use.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture lead to superior selfie quality, especially in low light.
- Additional Wide-Angle Lens: Offers more versatile photography with a dedicated wide-angle camera.
- More Modern OS and Updates: Ships with the latest Android version and has a longer update cycle.
- Dolby Atmos and enhanced audio: Superior sound quality for media consumption and gaming.
- Higher max storage option: 512GB of storage available vs 256GB max on the Asus.
Trade-offs:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Smaller screen, older chipset and Android version. Its camera is not as versatile due to the lack of a dedicated wide angle lens.
- Xiaomi Poco F6: Larger size and weight might not be comfortable for all users, lacks some more niche camera features like 8K video, the wide-angle lens also has fewer megapixels.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Asus Zenfone 8:
- Users who value portability: Those who want a powerful phone that's easy to carry and use one-handed will appreciate the smaller size.
- Users who require high performance in a compact form-factor: Those who need a premium experience but prefer a smaller form factor.
- Users with niche video recording needs: Users who need higher resolution video recording such as professional content creators.
- Users that need great location tracking capabilities: Those needing detailed and reliable location tracking for outdoor activities.
- Users that want versatile macro and wide angle camera: Dedicated lenses for both wide angle and macro shots.
Ideal Users for Xiaomi Poco F6:
- Media Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos, play games, and browse will benefit from the larger, brighter display.
- Heavy Users: Those who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Gamers: Will benefit greatly from the significantly more powerful processor and GPU.
- Social Media Users: People who take a lot of selfies will benefit from the improved front-facing camera.
- Users that need a modern operating system and update cycle: Will be able to update to the latest operating system for the foreseeable future.
Specific Use Cases:
- Asus Zenfone 8: Excellent for users who prioritize a compact design and one-handed use, along with excellent performance and great location tracking. Also good for users wanting wide-angle and macro capabilities with a dedicated lens.
- Xiaomi Poco F6: Perfect for users who consume media frequently, play graphic intensive games, or need long battery life and fast charging, along with the benefit of a large, bright display and more versatile photography options.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Xiaomi Poco F6 likely offers better value for most users due to its more modern processor, larger display, bigger battery, faster charging and superior audio at a competitive price point, though this depends on local pricing. The Asus Zenfone 8 may appeal to a smaller niche due to its compact size, high ram option, more satellite navigation systems, and 8k recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize portability or screen size?
- If portability, the Asus Zenfone 8 is better. If large screen, the Xiaomi Poco F6 wins.
- Is battery life and performance a top priority?
- If so, the Xiaomi Poco F6 offers significantly better battery life, faster charging and much higher performance.
- What kind of camera features do you need?
- If you need 8K video or a dedicated wide-angle/macro lens, the Zenfone 8 wins, if you need an all round camera with a dedicated wide angle lens and enhanced selfie camera, the Poco F6 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Commuter/On-the-Go User: The Asus Zenfone 8 is better for its pocket-friendly size and great single-hand use.
Scenario 2: Media Enthusiast/Gamer: The Xiaomi Poco F6 is a better pick for its larger, brighter display, superior performance, and longer battery life.
Scenario 3: Social Media Creator/Photographer: The Poco F6 offers more versatile photography options with a dedicated wide-angle lens and better selfie capabilities, the Zenfone 8, if you need the dedicated macro lens.
My Choice:
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6. While I appreciate the compactness and additional features of the Asus Zenfone 8, the Poco F6's advantages in key areas like display size and brightness, significantly better processor, larger battery, and faster charging are too compelling to ignore. The user experience with the Poco F6 is just superior for most users, providing much better value for the price. The inclusion of a wide angle lens, newer operating system, and better selfie camera make it a more versatile device. While not as compact, it's performance makes up for it.
